Heel brace



J. F. COX

HEEL BRAGE Nov. 3 1931.

Filed Oct. 20, 1930 Inventor A tlorneu Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES JAMES F. COX, 015 FORT WORTH, TEXAS HEEL BRAcE Application filed October 20, 1930. Serial No. 490,012.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in heel braces, and has for its object to provide a brace for the heel of the shoe, and formed from a single piece of metal, one portion of which is adapted to provide a heel plate whereby the heel will be prevented from wearing, together with an upstanding integral portion adapted to conformably engage the side of the heel or counter of the upper of the shoe whereby the same will be maintained in proper relation to the heel of the shoe and will further aid in strengthening and supporting the ankle of the wearer of the shoe to which my device is applied.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a brace of the above mentioned character, which is comparatively simple in construction, may be formed from a single blank of material, is inexpensive, practical clilCl may be readily and easily applied to a s 0e.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating the device attached to the heel of a shoe,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1, j

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the brace,

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the heel plate detached from the shoe.

With reference more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that my improved heel brace may be formed from a single piece of metal, and includes a heel plate 1 that is preferably quadrant shaped to conform somewhat to the shape of the heel. The plate 1 is suitably apertured as at 2, and the plate is adapted to be disposed between the leather lift L and the rubber lift R of the shoe heel herein designated generally by the reference character H.

At one edge thereof the plate 1 is provided with a lateral extension 3 that at its outer edge merges into an upstanding arcuate shank t that is adapted to conformably contact one sideof the leather lift L of the heel. The shank 4: at its upper end merges into, and has integral therewith a relatively large brace plate 5that is suitably shaped to conform to the curvature of the heel H of the upper and prevent the heel of the upper from being bent to one side or the other when the shoe is being worn or is in use.

The projection 4 on opposite sides of the I extension 3 is provided with inwardly di rected substantially triangular shaped flanges 6 that are adapted to embed themselves into the wood-en lift L of the heel H. The flanges 6 further provide a brace for the upstanding part 4, and these flanges 6 are each provided with a laterally directed lug 7 adapted to be nailed or otherwise secured tov the top face of the rubber lift R as at 8 between said lift R, and the leather lift L.

In actual practice, the heel plate 1 will provide a support for the leather lift L, and as before intimated, the brace 5 contacting with the heel H of the shoe or upper, will prevent rapid wearing of the heel on either side, and further preventing bending of the heel of the upper in relation to the heel of the shoe, thus providing a practical and thoroughly eflicient support for the ankle of the wearer.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of various changes, modifications and improvements coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A combined heel plate and heel brace formed from a single piece of metal, comprising a portion adapted for disposition bethe shoe heel, flanges integral with said up j standing portion and adapted to embed into the uppermost lift of the shoe heel.

2. A combined heel plate and heel brace formed from a single piece of metal, c01nprising a portion adapted for disposition between two lifts of the shoe heel, an integral upstanding portion disposed laterally of the heel plate for engagement with the upper- ;iost lift of the heel, and terminating adjacent the heel of the shoe upper to conformably engage therewith, flanges integral with said upstanding portion and adapted to embed into the shoe heel proper, and apertured lugs carried by said flanges for disposition between said heel lifts.

3. A shoe heel brace comprising a heel plate provided adjacent one edge with a reduced extension, a vertical shank integral with said extension and extending at right angles to the plate, a brace plate on the upper end of said shank, and flanges connected with said shank and said heel plate for bracing the shank, with respect to the heel plate.

at. A heel brace comprising in combination a heel plate provided with a lateral shank cXtendin g vertically therefrom, a brace plate at the upper end of said shank, means for bracing said shank relative to said heel plate, said last-mentioned means including apertured lugs disposed laterally of said heel plate.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

JAMES F. COX. 

